Qatar, a wealthy Gulf state smaller in size than the state of Connecticut, will be the first Middle Eastern country in history to host a major global sporting event.

Australia, Japan and South Korea were the other finalists in the running to host the 2022 games.

Bill Clinton supported the failed U.S. bid. Late last year, the United States was also rebuffed in its effort to bring the 2016 Olympic Games to Chicago -- despite President Obama lobbying personally on its behalf.

Lucy Madison is a political reporter for CBSNews.com. You can read more of her posts here. Follow Hotsheet on Facebook and Twitter.